Jaiz Bank Boosts Education in Katsina

Francis Sardauna writes that the inauguration of an ultra-model school in Katsina State by Jaiz Bank will complement government’s effort in revamping education in the state

There was jubilation galore in the Kambarawa community in Katsina, the Katsina State capital following the construction and commissioning of Kusharahama Academy (Nursery and Primary school) in the community by Jaiz Bank PLC to bridge the gap in Nigeria’s education sector and enable it contribute effectively to economic development.

The history of the school began in 1989 when the former Director of Katsina State Library Board, Hajiya Hadiza Shitu Fawibe, initiated the construction of a children’s library and mosque for the Kambarawa community within the Katsina metropolitan area.

The historic project was, however, donated to Jaiz Bank through her Charity and Development Foundation (JCDF) in 2012 by the initiator (Fawibe) as “Waqf” in the spirit of “Sadaqatul Jariya” according to the Islamic tenets. The donor also requested that the project, when completed by the foundation, should be named as Kusharahama Education Centre.

Consequently, the Jaiz Charity and Development Foundation completed the humanitarian project through the provision of a eight classrooms and befitting toilets, staff offices, computer room, reconstruction and furnishing of the mosque and provision of library.

The JCDF, in a bid to implement the corporate responsibility of the bank, also provided other items such as office cabinets, refrigerator, water dispensers and safes as well as the teaching and learning materials and children’s sporting facilities for efficient and effective learning to thrive in the elementary school.
Qatar foundation also supported JCDF’s effort in the school with the construction of the school’s mosque and toilets while the borehole was constructed by an anonymous philanthropist. Thus, the JCDF engaged Muhide Education Consults Limited, Katsina, to provide comprehensive educational services for the smooth take-off of the educational centre for 2021 and 2022 academic session.

The Kusharahama Academy was established to provide among others, quality and functional basic education with Islamic orientation and training on entrepreneurship and empowerment of youths including women.
The elementary school was commissioned by the state commissioner for Education, Badamasi Lawal Charanchi, on November 9th, 2021.

The current staff strength of the school include a headmistress, five teachers, an accountant and secretary, administrative officer, two nannies and caregivers, three cleaners and fully engaged security personnel to enhance the safety of pupils, teachers and instructional materials.

Currently, no fewer than 20 pupils have been admitted into the center for the nursery and primary one classes with fixed school fees of N12,000 per term. The school also intends to admit quite a number of orphans and other vulnerable children who are expected to be sponsored by philanthropists, especially from the numerous internally displaced persons (IDPs), who are victims of attacks by bandits in the state.

Being an Islamic commercial bank, the Jaiz Bank, through the JCDF, places emphasis on strong Islamic nurture and culture such that the pupils shall turn out to be God-fearing citizens well- grounded in science, art and appreciative of their Nigerian citizenship irrespective of tribal or political inclinations. The Kusharahama Academy operates under the general guidance of the Jaiz/Waqf foundation as sole proprietors and funders of the school until when the institution is capable of sustaining itself. Furthermore, the school board is constituted by the Jaiz and Waqf foundations for a successful implementation of its activities.

While the school management committee is headed by the headmistress, to ensure the day-to-day running of the affairs of the school, the management ensures the maintenance of facilities and resources of the school.

Speaking during the ceremonial commissioning of the school, the Chief Executive Officer of JCDF, Imam Abdullahi Shuaib, said Katsina State was the pioneer benefitting state for the JCDF’s intervention programme.
He explained that Jaiz Charity and Development Foundation was established by the first Non-interest Bank (Jaiz Bank) in 2012 as a non-governmental organisation to compliment government’s effort in assuaging the plight of vulnerable people across the country.

The thematic areas of the foundation, he said, included interventions in areas of education, public awareness, water and sanitation, health, agriculture, economic empowerment, humanitarian as well as “Zakat and Waqf”. He said: “As we know Islamic Banks always set up charity organisations to channel funds that are non-permissible (Interest and other doubtful incomes) that cannot be used by the bank.

“Our objective is to complement government effort, and in doing so, make life better for the society’s less privileged. We operate in Nigeria and are concerned about delivery on our Corporate Social Responsibility”.
According to the JCDF chief executive officer, most of the foundation’s projects are aimed at societal upliftment, especially for the society’s most vulnerable either directly or indirectly.

Earlier, the Chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Jaiz Foundation, Abidu Yazid, said N55.3 million had been disbursed directly and indirectly to the poor and the needy in Lagos, Nasarawa, Adamawa, Taraba and Katsina States, including the Federal Capital Territory.

He stated: “In August this year, for instance, the Jaiz Foundation distributed equipment such as sewing machines, deep freezers and grinding machines to 534 beneficiaries.
“Here in Katsina, we have begun the enrolment of pupils albeit only at the pre-primary and primary school level, we have engaged teachers and other auxiliary staff and lessons have actually commenced only yesterday (Monday).

“We have already evolved a daily lesson plan, syllabus/scheme of work, continuous assessment booklets etc. In the nursery section, we shall begin by teaching readiness skills, writing skills, mathematics skills, and science, social habits, and health habits, cultural and creative arts”.

He further explained that: “Because we have a special regard for the moral habits of our pupils, we have special lessons on the Quran, figh, Arabic letters, words, rhythms and poems.
“This will continue through to primary school where we intend to teach among other things, basic science and technology, three major Nigerian Languages, Islamic Religious Studies/Arabic, computer studies etc, in addition to the usual mathematics and English studies”.

Yazid reiterated optimism that the school’s young people will get qualitative education, which he said, would be deeply tinged with the ethics of Islamic values as obtains in the northern region of the country.
”Simultaneously, our graduates, who will eventually proceed to secondary school, will be able to compete with any pupils from anywhere for their West African School Certificate and necessary qualification for the eventual university entrance exam”, he stated.

The state Commissioner for Education, while commissioning the school, expressed the state government’s readiness to give it the needed support desired in order to boost educational standards in the state.
Meanwhile, among notable dignitaries that graced the occasion include Magajin Garin Katsina, Aminu Abdulmunini; the Provost, FCE Katsina, Idris Aliyu Funtuwa; Dr. Aliyu Rabiu Kurfi; National Vice President (NWZ), NAPPS; Ahmed Musa Abdullahi and Fillin Samji, Chairman, Ta’tawun Academy.
Others include; the Branch Manager, Jaiz Bank, Katsina, Abdussamad Hassan Gafai and Maiunguwan Kambarawa, Umar Rabiu.